I just ordered some new ss lines and DOT 4 fluid, but I have a question about the install since I have never done this before.

Do I need to remove all of the original fluid completely (by bleeding the brakes), Change out lines, then add the new fluid to the empty fluid reservior? Or is there another way to do this?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

Todd, DO NOT bleed the brake lines before you install the new SS lines.. If you do, it will mess up the Anti-lock brakes and you will have great difficulty getting the brakes to work properly, it takes special tools to fix the problem.

I would swap out the lines, loosing as little of the brake fluid as possible. If you are going to do this job alone, I would find something to plug the line or slow down the flow of the fluid. This is so the fluid doesn't drain out of the Anti-lock sensor. If you have help they can just hold their finger over the line opening.

Here would be a good time to install 'Speed Bleeders' on your calipers.. they can be purchased from Steeda and other outlets.. they are a one way valve that allows one person to bleed the brakes without getting air in the lines.

Once the SS lines are installed with no leaks, there are a couple of ways to bleed the brake system. (1) Call around to your local rental stores and see if they have a pressure bleeder that will work on your car... they are usually a master cylinder cap which allows fluid to be forced into the reservoir by a low pressure system. (2) Manually using help to keep the fluid in the master cylinder and to bleed the air out of the system.

You will need a clear bottle/jar to catch the old fluid in. A clear plastic tube that fits tightly over the bleeder valves about 12" long to put into the bottle (all the way to the bottom) so that the air bubbles can be seen as the air is purge, when the old fluid stops coming out of the system and so no air gets sucked back into the system.

ALWAYS START AT THE RIGHT REAR (FARTHEST FROM THE RESERVOIR), THEN THE LEFT REAR, THEN RIGHT FRONT, AND LAST THE LEFT FRONT.

With the pressure bleeder, the bleeder system usually has a reservoir that will hold enough fluid to pruge the entire system, but it may not have one that large and you will need to keep adding fluid. This system doesn't require pushing in on the brake pedal.

Never let the bleeder or master cylinder reservoir get empty of fluid.

There should be enough color difference in your stock fluid and the new that you can tell the difference. Start at the right rear to release fluid. Doing it manually, the bleeder valve will need to be closed prior to releasing the brake pedal. Stop before the reservoir is empty, keep adding new fluid as the level gets near the bottom of the reservoir.. bleed the system until the new fluid is the only thing flowing out of the valve. Repeat on the remaining calipers until the system contains only the new fluid.

I hope this gives you some idea of what needs to be done. I'm sure someone else at this forum will have more to add. Suggest you get a shop manual for any late model vehicle or look online for the Ford mustang sevice manual to read up on how to bleed brakes..

Bobby M.

 

Thanks for the info, very helpful!
I will probably be doing the install by myself, so I will look into finding one of those pumps.
I actually purchased speed bleeders when I bought the new SS lines and planned on adding them during the install.